Tube forming machine



June 13, 1933. A. Q HUSTON ET AL 1,913,447

TUBE FORMI NG MACHINE Eiled April 14; 195o 8 sheets-sheet 1 June 13,1933. A. c. Hus'roN 'Er AL TUBE FORMING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1950 8Sheets-Sheet 2 Hmm m 7% 6 w .Zw W ma fw y y Mw? wf awa 4 w fw June 13,1933. A. c. HusToN Et A.

TUBE FORMING MACHINE Filed April 1 4, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 ay. i.

fnf/26g.

June 13, 1933.

A.'c. HUsToN Er AL 1,913,447-

TUE FORMING- MACHINE z Filed April 14, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 7272????Loy TUBE FORMING MACHINE MMM June 13, 1933.

A. HusToN Er AL TUBE FORMING MACHINE Filed Apil 14, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet6 Q @NN A. c. HUsToN ET AL 1,913,447

TUBE FOHMING MACHINE June 13, 1933.

Filed April 14. 195o a sheets-sheet 7 June 13, 1933.- Afg. HUSTQN Er ALI 1,913,447

TUBE FORMING MAHINE Patented .im 1 3, 1,933

UNITED s'm'rl-a'sl PATENT OFFICE ma c. nusron, mvnm me: smoNsnN, @LEN c.GILLILAND, roar I.. Hmm,

raanmcx G. mueras.` um nnwm r. scnaonncx, or Los aNGELEs, cauroman; samsnronsmt, GILLILAND, Huisman, HIGGINS AND scnnonncx, As-

SIGNQBS T MID HUBTON TUBE rosanna nacnnm Anuman mea april 14, reso.serial in. 444,081.

This invention relates in general to tube forming machines, and isparticularly concerned with ymachines fbr manufacturing spirally woundtubing such as paper soda 5 straws, and the like. Although the lnventlonin various of its aspects is applicable to the manufacture of spirallywound tubing in general, it has at present its widest usage in themaking of soda straws, and will thereforeA be described hereinafter asembodied in a machine adapted forthis purpose.

Among the foremost objects of the. lnvention is to provide a machinecapable of .forming smooth-cut straws of accurately uniform length at ahigh rate of production. It may be mentioned preliminarily that diliculty 1s commonlyencountered in the making of pa per straws incutting them smoothly and into even lengths, due primarily to-the factsthat the straw must be severed while moving falrly rapidly, and thatusually its rate of movement is not uniform duetoslippagethatnecessarlly takes place in the winding operatlon. Varioustypes of tube cutting devices are in use which are designed particularlyfor the purpose of severing the straw while it is being advanced asformed, and in' such a ,manner as to cause it to be cut 'smoothly andprevented from buckling as a result of the cutting operation.Y soTypical of such cutting devices are some which cause a sharp blade totraverse the path of the straw at such a high rate of speed as to severthe straw so as to not interfere with its advancing movement, and otherswhich cause a cutter to move along with the straw and at the same rateof speed, during the cutting operation, the cutter'in this later typeremaining relatively stationary longitudinally of the straw, whilesevering it. -The cut-oil mechanism in the present machine is of thislatter general type, the cutter being' caused to be intermittently movedinto and out of the path ofthe straw to sever same, and to move with thestraw and at exactly the same rate of 4 speed, while severing it.

In order for the straw to b severed with the desired smoothness by atraveling cutter moving along with the straw, it is desirable that thecutter and straw move together at the same rate, otherwise a rough cutwill result. Heretofore it has been proposed to time the movement of thecutter with the operation of the tube winding mechanism. The latterconsists, in the usual machine for makmgspirally wound tubing, in awinding element, such as an endless tape, for winding the strip stockfrom which the straw is formed, about a mandrel, the winding elementserving to advance thestraw from the mandrel as' it is formed, aswell asto effect the winding thereofs' In this operation however, a certainamount of slippage, and which it magebe mentioned is desirable, alwaysoccurs tween the winding element and the strawbeing formed on themandrel, with the result that the rate of propulsion of the formed strawwill vary somewhat. 'Variation inthe rate of propulsion 'of the formedstraw of course results in variation of the relative speed of the cutterand straw, thus making it virtually impossible to cause both to move atthe same uniform speed, which is a necessar requisite for smooth cuttinThis diiliculty is overcome in accorrance with the present invention bycausing the 75 formed straw and cutter to travel together at the 'samespeed while the cutter is moved into the path of the straw tosever it,by' op-v erating t e cutter in timed relation to a suitable mechanismfor feeding or releasing the strip stock to the winding mechanism,instead of timing the operationof the cutter with that of the windingmechanism, as pre` viously practiced. Sincey it is readily possible tofeed the strips to the Winder at a constant rate, by proper regulationof the novement of the cutter, the latter may be caused to travel. atexactly the same rate as the formed straw. In the present machine forv'certain advantageous reasons the winding 9A y ment mechanismpreferably is operated in a mancutter is operated in Atimed relationwith the rate of feed, the relative movement between the cutter andformed straw is independent .of whateverfslippage that may occur in thewinding operation.

As previously mentioned, in usual machines of this character the`winding element comprises an endless tape wound about the mandrel.Although in the broader aspects of the. invention, any suitable form ofwinding or tube forming means. may be used in the .present machine, theimproved winding device will be preferred over the usual winder suchasan endless tape for various reasons which /will hereinafter appear.The present type of Winder may be generally described ascomprising apairof rollers disposed at opposite sides of the mandrel and mountedangularly with relation thereto, the rollers being adapted to be rotatedso as to cause the strip stockto be spirally wound on the mandrel andthe formed tube to be propelled to the cutting device. The winding rollsare ycapable of adjustment so as to vary the rate of advancement of thetube in the mandrel to vary toa certain degree the pitch of the wind andalso to wind tubes of various diameters.

As will later be more fully explained, the

winding mechanism, bypvirtue of itscapability of varying the pitch ofthe wind, also is capable, within certain limits, of varying fthe speedat which the formed tube is ad.

vanced. This feature is of advantage in that the timing of the feedrelease with the cutter operation'need not necessarily be so precisethat the movement of the formed tube, as governed by the rate of feedrelease, will berexactly that of the cutter, since 'the Windingmechanism may be adjusted tot regulate the movement of the tube to anicety such that its travel will correspond to that of the cuttertravel. In other words, the winding mechanism may serve the purpose of asecondary or final means for controlling the rate of movement of thetube in-accordancefwith that of the cutter.

We have also provided what broadly may be considered a carrier which isadapted to receive the severed tubes directly from the cutter mechanism,and to move the severed tubes transversely out of the path of theadvancing tube being formed. The .characteristics of operation of thecarrier are such thatimmediately, or soon after a tube is severed, thattube is advanced ahead of the subsequent tube being formed, a rate ofmoveeater than that of 'said tube being forme and without interferingwith its advancing movement. The carrier serves also asl a heaterwhereby the straws after having been paraiined, are automaticallymaintained for a predetermined length of time atV a temperature such aswill allow the paraffine to thoroughly permeate the straws and therebyrender them liquid proof and resistant to hotliquid. The combined heaterand carrier thus operates to automatically take the straws directly fromthe cut-oli:l and heat them for a certain length of time beforedelivering them to the finished straw container.

The above and additional features and objects of the invention will beunderstood most readily and discussed to best advantagel in thefollowing detailed description of a machine representing a typical andpreferred embodiment of the invention. Reference is had for `purposes ofdescription to the accompanying Fig. 5 is a plan View of Fig. 4; i Fi -6is an enlarged section on line 6 6 of Fig. 4, showing particularly thegearing -of Vthe maindrive shaft with the winding roller and feedrelease shafts;

. Fig. 7 isvan enlarged fragmentary section ony line 7 7 fof Fig.5,'showing the winding roller mounting'and the roller drive shaft; Fig.8 is a fragmentary View on line 8 8 of Fig.' 6, showing the cutteroperating cam wheel in end elevation;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken longitudinally throughthe cut-od dey vice as indicated by line 9 9 of Fig. 5;

F ig. 10 is a section on line 10 10 of Fig. 9, the cutter being shownadvanced into severing position ;I

Fig. 11 is a section on line 11 11 of Fig. 6;

Fig'. 12 is a fragmentary enlarged side ele vation of one of the windingrollers and its mounting, as viewed on line 12-12 of Fig. 5;

f Fig. 13 is an elevational view as indicated on broken line 13 13 ofFig. 5;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 14-14 of Fig. 1

Fig. 15 is an enlarged section through the /parafiine containerindicated on line 15 15 of Fig. 4; f

Fig. 16 is an enlarged plan view of the cutoil' device and the heaterand heater operating other parts associated therewith in correspondingpositions; i

Fig. 17 is similar to Fig. 16 but illustrates the parts in changedpositions after the straw has been severed;

Fig.; 18 isa side velevation of the carrier andL its operatingmechanism, as viewed from the front of Fig. 16, on line 18,-18;

Fig. 19 is a sectional end elevation taken on line 19-19 of Fig. 16;

Fig. .20 is a fragmentary venlarged section on line 20-20 ofFig. 16,showin the escapement and heater-operating ratc et gears in oneposition; and y Fig. 21v is a section similar toFig. 20 illustrating thegears in changed position.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the machine may be characterized generally ascomprising, the feed release and adhesive applying mechanism generallyindicated at 20; the winding mechanism 21 for forming the strip stockreleased from the mechanism 20 into spirally wound straws; the cut-offmechanism generally indicated at 22, which operates to sever the formedstraws into equal lengths; and the carrier and heater 22a wherein thesevered and externally parained straws are subjected toheating for asuitable period of time. The feed release and adhesive applyingmechanism 20, is supported on a table or. bed 23,

which extends angularly with relation'to bed 24 supporting the winding,cut-off and carrier mechanisms, the parts being arranged in this mannerin order to enable the strip stock to be taken s'traight'from the feedrelease to the mandrel .and at the proper angle relative thereto. Theinventionwill perhaps bemost clearly understood by describingthe variousparts of the machine in the order `in which they operate'upon the strip,stock, beginning with the feed release and adhesive applyingl mechanism;then describing the winding and 4 cut-oil:l mechanisms, and finally theautomatically operated heater and carrier.

It will be understood that any suitable means may be used for feeding orreleasing the strip stock to the winding mechanism, it only beingrequired that the stock feed or release mechanism, `whichever'it may becon'- sidered, be capable of feeding the strips at a constant rate andof' operating in timed relation with the cutting mechanism. The releasemechanism hereinafter described is u. therefore to be considered merelyas `typical of any suitable means for feeding or releasing the strips ata constant rate.

1 Referring particularly`to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, doublerolls of the strip stock are carried on reels` 26 mounted on a support27, the strips 40 and 41 beingledv from the reels between a pair offriction rollers 28 and 29. Roll 28 is carried on shaft 30 which isldriven by way of shafts 33- and 34 through bevel gears 31, 31a and 32,32a. Gear 32ais carried on the end of sleeve 53 fwhich is jour-.

frictionally release the'strips.

It will suffice tostate at this point that shaft 33, and7 thereforerollerl,28, is operated in timedrelation with the cut-off mechanism 22,

further details of the shaft drive being described at a later point.Roller 29 is carried on an eccentric extension 36a of shaft 36 (see Fig.14) and is operated to be thrown into and out of such close; proximityto roller. 28 as to frictionally hold the `strips therebetween, byrotating shaft'j36. Thus during operation,

the strips are advanced betweenthe rollers -due to the rotation ofroller 28, and at the exact' peripheral speedof rthe latter. The

feed of stock to the Winder may be stopped at will however, by swingingroller 29 to the dotted position 29a, as described, so as to Shaft 36may be rotated, and roller 29 swung from operating position to thedotted line releasing position 29a, by operating arm 37 secured to shaft36, by wayA of rod 38 and lever 39. Lever 3.9 is'preferably loc-atednearv the winding and cut-off 4mechanism in order` thatshould thestripsl or formed tube become fouled at any time during theirpassagcthrough the Winder and cut-off, the operator will be able to stopthe feed without having v'to shut down' the entire machine. v v

In order to. prevent' slippage of the strips between the rollers, one orboth of the rollersmay be provided with a peripheral facing of rubber orother suitable material. In the From the lfeed release mechanismdescribed, the strips 40 and 41 pass through guides 42 and 43 over anadhesive applying present case, the power roller 28 isentirelyfv I'roller 44, the lower portion of which is immersed with-in a heated bodyof adhesive contained in the glue pot 45. The adhesive is heated andmaintained at the desired fluiditv by means of anelectricalheatingelement 46 extending within water'jacket 45a surrounding the gluepot, the jacket being supin the adhesive at one side of the partition sothat as the roller is'rotated, it tends to cause the adhesive tocirculate around the partition as indicated by the arrows. Rollerl 44may' be operated in any suitable manner,

for example by means of pulley 50 on the roller shaft 51, the pulleybeing driven by vbelt 52 extending around sleeve 53. The

strips pass from the adhesive applying roller 5 44 over a scraper 54which serves to remove excess adhesive from Athe strips, the removedadhesive .dropping back into the glue pot. It is of considerableimportance that the adhesive applied to the strips have justthe rightmoisture content at the point at which the strips are wound together onthe mandrel, in' order for the straws to be properly formed. So subjectis the adhesive to moisture changes between the applying `roll 44 andthe mandrel, due to changes in atmospheric temperature and humidity,that it becomes desirable to provide means for varying, in eiect, the jtime during which the coated strips are exposed to the air,in\accordance with 'atmospherigc conditions. For this purpose, we mountthe described strip release mechanism and glue pot on a frame F which issupported on rollers R on top f bed 23. Thus by turning handle lever Hwhich operates one of the rollers, the frame F and all parts supportedthereon may be moved longitudinally on the bed so as to vary thedistance of roll In order to permitv 44 from the mandrel. such movementof the frame, rod 38 ismade in relatively longitudinally movablesections 38a,38b, the latter ,slidably terminating in a sleeve 380secured to section ,38a by set screw 38d. 'The feed release and adhesiveapplying mechanisms may be operated from shaft 33 regardless of thepositionof frame F on the bed, since sleeve 53, journaled in the endmembers of the frame, and from which both said mechanisms are driven, is

,4o slidable longitudinally on the shaft spline .One of the strips 40 ispassed over al roll 55, see Fig. 13, which serves to coat the reverseside of the strip with paraiiine, the strip being twisted in its travelfrom roll 44,` as indicated in Fig. 1, so as to present the side notcoated with adhesive, to the paraiine ap-d plying roll. As shownin Fig.13, the latter vhas its lower portion submerged within a -50 paraflinebath in container 56, the paraiiine being heated by means of heatingelement 57 in the lower portion of the container. Strip V40 is thenwound about the mandrel with the parained side adjacent thereto.

r511i Strip 41 is passed beneath a guide 58 and 05 the mandrel 'consistsof a, horizontal, rod extending longitudinally of bed 24 and terminallycarried onpost 61. The mandrel preferably is warmed by .an internalelectrical heating element having lead wires 62, this being desirable inorder to promote free sliding of the parailined inner surface of thestraw on the mandrel, and to accelerate setting of the glue, due to themoisture being driven out by the heated mandrel.

In the broader aspects of the invention any suitable windingmechanismmay be employed which will operate to wind and ad- Vance the formed tubeon the mandrel at a rate atleast equal to, and preferably have atendency to advance the tube at a rate greater, .than that permitted bythe feed release. As previously mentionedhowever, the illustrated typeof Winder has numerous advantageous features which render it preferableover the heretoforeused devices.

The winding mechanism comprises'a pair of rollers 64 and 65 mounted atopposite sides of the mandrel and inclined relative thereto 1n oppositedirections. Each of the rollers is supported on a carrier or yoke65b androtatably mounted on pintle shaft 66 journaled in bearings 67 and 67a inthe upper and lower portions of the yoke. The yoke and roller assemblyis supported on a slide rest 68 which has an integral post 69 withinwhich a trunnion 70 on-the yoke is journaled, the trunnion normallybeing clamped within the post by means of screw 71 so as to pr'eventturning movement of the yoke. Slide rest 68 is adjustable laterally ofthe mandrel between guide strips 72, and is lixedrin adjusted posltionby means of lock nuts 73 on rod 74 extending through bearing 75. Asshown most clearly in Fig. 7, thebottoin face of the base portion 65a ofthe yoke is cylindrically shaped longitudinally of the slide rest, andis seated within a correspondingly shaped recess 76 in the latter,the'center of curvature of the recess being about the axial center oftrunnion 70 so as to permit the yoke to bear flush against the slide;vrest for all positions of lateral adjustment. Thus by virtue of thecapability of the yoke for adjustment about its trunnion, the positionof inclination pf the roller relative to the mandrel may be adjusted asdesired. For all positions of the' rollers relative to the mandrel,their center of bearing against the mandrel will-be in line with theaxis of trunnion 70. It may be mentioned that as the rollers are broughttoward positions of parallelism with the mandrel, the tendency is forthem to advance the straw at a greater rate than when moved towardpositions of greater angularity with the man'- drel, and to increase thepitchv of the wind..- As will readily appear, the rollers, in pro-vducing their winding action on the strips, move angularly in oppositedirections relative to the mandrel.

10 the limits of pitch variation which can be broughtv about byadjustment of the rollers,

the speed of advancement of the formed tube may be regulatedaccordingly. The lock nuts on rods 74 are adjusted so as to cause therollers to bear more or less snugly against the straw so as to insurethat the strips being fed to the mandrel will always be taut. On theother hand however the engagement of the rollers with the straw will besuch as to permit a certain 'amount of slippage therebetween inaccordance with the differential in rate at which the strips arereleased and that at which the rollers tend to advance the straw, due tothe fact that most generally the rollers will tend to advance the strawat a greater rate than that permitted by the feed release.

, The Winder rollers preferably are provided with bearing surfaces 77 ofa fairly soft rubber in order to insure the required fric.- tionalengagement with the A'straw and to provide a greater surface contactrollers and straws. Although th pressure of the rollers against thesurface of the straw will be such as to permit slippage therebetween, itwill be suicient to cause the rubber I bearing surfaces 77 to fit aroundand grip a considerable surface area of the straw, tlere.-

i by firmly pressing the strips together to form some instances it maybe desirable to provide more than Atwo windin rollers arranged about themandrel, but or inarily in the mak- 'ing of small tubes such as sodastraws, two oppositely arran ed rollers of the character described willsu ce.

Each of the winding` rollers 64. and is driven by way of what may betermed flexible shafts 79 and 80 journaled at their'lower ends inbrackets 81 and 82,'respectively, depending from the .underside of thesupporting bed 24. Each ofthe roller drive shafts is made up of upperand lower sections inter- 6 5 thel main drive shaft of the machine aswill Ween the a compactly wound straw. By maintaining" as previouslydescri be described. The upper ends of shafts 79 and extend throughopenings 87 and 88 in the bed 24 and slide re'st 68, respectivel and icarry bevel gears 89, the shank or nec rtions of which are journaled inthe yoke ase 65a as indicated in Fig. 7. Gears 89 mesh with bevel gears89a keyed to the winding rollershaft 66. A

A main drive shaft 90 journaled in hangers 91, 91a, 915,v and 910, isdriven by motor'92 by way of chain 93-and the gear box conventionallyindicated at 94, the Shaft being rotated in the direction ofl arrow R,see Fig. 8. Rotatably mounted on the drive shaft is a master gear 95having a tapered portion 95a, giving it the characteristics of` both aspur and bevel gear. During normalwoperation of the machine, gear 95 isdriven from shaft 90 by way of the ratchet mechanism generally indicatedat 96, comprising a ratchet gear 97 (see Fig. 11) which is keyed to theshaft and caused to enga e the pawls 98 carried on the back side of aange 99 integral with gear 95,

when the drive shaft rotates in the dlrection of arrowvR. It may bementioned that'the ratchet connection between gear 95 and the driveshaft is emplo ed in order tov enable manual operation o the feedrelease and winding mechanism without operating the lc ut-oif, as willpresently bel described. l

gears 85 and 86, respectively. The relative .positions ofthe lattergears of course remain constant since whatever adjustment of the windingroll mountings may be made, is taken care of by the universal joints 84and 84a. n I

The feed release operating shaft 33 extending longitudinally along theside of bed 23,

n also in the glue ot su porting frame F ged. haft 33 is driver from themain drive shaft by way ofbsvel is ournaled beneath bed 24 in hanger'106' gear 105 ,meshing with the beveled or tapered portion of gear 95.A

'The straw passes from the mandrel 'as at 113 to expose substantiallyhalf the diameter of the straw to the cutter, as will more fully-beexplained hereinafter,

The cut-oil mechanism, generall designated at 22, comprises a rotatingdisk cutter 114 mounted on shaft 115 carried on a supporting yoke 116.yCutter 114 (preferably, though not necessarily, is rovide with verysmall saw teeth 114a. 'Yo e 116 is shaped to provide arms 11611., 1166,within which `are contained tle shaft thrust bearings 117 and i througha guide tube 110 mounted on' a suit-` able support 111, thev tubehavinga, flared or 118. Any longitudinal play that may develop in thecutter shaft may be taken up by plug 119 threaded in arm. 116m andbearing against the thrust bearing 117. It will suice to state at thispoint that the cutter and yits supporting yoke is intermittently freelylongitudinally -on the \shaft so thatv during reciprocating movement ofthe shaft, the pulley remains substantiallyin one position relative tothe motor without causing dellection of the belt in the direction oflmovement of the shaft. Belt 121 is Sulliciently flexible so as topermit lateral movement of the shaft away from the motor as the cutteris brought into the path of the straw. s

v The cutter shaft carrier 116 is mounted upon what may be^termed acompound slide rest, having such characteristics as will vpermit thecutter to travel along with the straw and to simultaneously movetransversely into the paththereof, that is within guide tube yrecess113,l during the cutting operation.

The compound slide rest comprises a carriage block 125 conlinedbetween'guide pieces 126 extendin longitudinally of the supportingbed-24, b ock'125 bein adapted to intermittently move reciproca lybetween guidesl 126 in a Ipath parallel with cutter shaft 115 and thepath of movement of the straw. A

vsecond slide rest, movable transversely of the direction of movementofblock 12,5, is provided by the base portion 127 of yoke 116,

said base being -seated `within transverse groove 128 formed in thecarriage block. The upper slide rest is held within groove 128 by meansof' pieces 130 extendmg within grooves 131 in the side of base 127.Relative transverse movement between the upper and lower slide rests isresisted by spring 132 inserted within grooves 1331- and 134 formed inthe top and bottom surfaces of block 125 and base 127 respectively..Spring 132 is confined between stop lugs 135 and 136 projecting withinthe grooves, and which serve, should the hereinafter described cam arm153be removed, to limit the travel of the upper slide rest, andtherefore the cut- 140 projects upwardly above the top surface ofsupporting bed 24 through opening 143, so as to bring shoulder 141 andthe inner end of the wheel adjacent the end of block- 125. A camfollower roller 144 is mounted on `pin 145 in the end of block 125, 'andis caused to bear against cam face 141 and end portion 140e of wheel 140throughout rotative movement of the latter.k Roller 144 is urged againstthe `cam face 'on wheel- 140 by the action of spring 146 placed about alongitudinal reciprocating guide rod 147 joined Fat 148 to slide block125, and lextending through bearings 149 and 150. Spring 146 is conlinedbetween the stationary bearing 149 and collar 151, theflatter beingadjustable longitudinall on rod 147 so as to regulate the tension o thespring.

The operation of the lower slide rest wheel facer 141 at a point Cfurthest istant from the end e of; the cam wheel. suming the cam wheelto rotate in the direc-` tion of arrow R,as shown in Fig. 8, uponrotation of the cam through the angular distance between points C and A,the latter lbeing the point at which cam face141 conforms to the endface-140a of the cam'wheel, slide rest 125 is moved the full length ofits travel to the left, carrying with it the cutter 114 at the same rateof movement as the straw. During travel of the cam past the rollerbetween points A and B, the slide rest` remains stationary at the end ofits travel, and thereafter as the cam `rotates a distance correspondingto the spacing between points B i and C, the slide rest, under theaction of spring 146, returnsto its original position to the right.

`. The transversely moving-upper slide rest 127 is o rated by wav ofarms 153 andA 154 mounte on a rock. shaft 155 journaled in hanger 156,see Figs. 4 and 6.P Terminally carrled on arm 154 is a roller 157 whichrides the peripheral surface of wheel 140-to the right of cam shoulder141, roller 157 being urged into engagement with the surface of the camwheel by-sprin'g 158 attached to the armand the-cam shaft hanger 915.Arm 153 also carries aterminal .roller 159, see Fig.

` maintain roller 159 at all times in. engage-- '1,913,447'fV f l 10,which bears against the side' edge iof the upper slide rest 127,spring`132 operating to ment with said upper slide rest.

0n the periphery of cam wheel 140 is a raised surface 160, see Fig. 8,which, when brought past roller 157, causes arm 154 to swing outwardlyand arm 153 to swing inwardly in` a reverse direction to move the upperslide rest. Cutter 114 is thus moved into the path of the straw in theposition.

shown in Fig. 10', and is maintained in this position throughout thegreater portion of the travel of the lower slide rest toward the left.The pointD at'which arm 154 is initially vswung outward 'to move thecutter into severing position will be located at such a point that theinward movement of the cutter will occur slightly after the starting ofthe movement of the lower slide rest toward the left, or in other wordssoon after the start of travelof lthe cutter `with the straw. The periodof .time during wh1ch t h e c utter is maintained in its severingposition -will be substantially the same or slightly less' than the timeinterval during which the lower slide rest is ca used to move to theleftf and the cutter to travel with the straw. Point E, will be so'located as to cause the cutter to moved out of the path of the'strawsubstantially at, or ver soon before the limit of its movement with thestra-w. y i

As hereinabove explained, -in order to as-v sure that the straw will besmoothly cut, it

is essential that the cutter 114 travel at ex- 'A the same rate of speedas the straw actly r during the cutting operation. Due to the fact thatthe cut-olf mechanism and the feed" release are both operated fromthesame drive shaft 90 as described, it will be noted -that the twomechanisms, are operated in certain timed relation.v Thus by the properdesign of cam 141 in accordance with the operation of the feed releasethrough gears 31, 32 and 105, cutter 114 may be caused totravel atprecisely the same rate of movement as the straw.

As previous explained, the advancing movement of t e straw from themandrel may be controlled by varying the pitch of the wind by adjustingthe winding rollers, as lwell as by controlling the rate of feedrelease, Therefore, should there exist a dif ferential in the rate oftravel of the cutter,

Aand the rate of advancing movement of the straw, due to inaccuracies intiming the operation ofthe feed release with that of the cutter, thespeed of movement of the straw L manually twist the strips'for a fewturns maybe adjusted to a nicety, and to'correspond exactly with thecutter'travel, by'

about the mandrel and to feed them between necessity for having tooperate the entire machine while such preliminary adjustments are beingmade, means is provided for manually and selectively operating theWinder and feed release to start the straw on the mandrel. For thispurpose an auxiliary shaft 162 operated byl hand wheell 163 is geared toshaft 100 as at 164. By turning wheel'163, the winding rollers Aareoperated throughgears 85, 102 and 86, 103, and the feed release "throughgears 95,101and 105, v

as previously, described. However, since in this case gear 95 is drivenby gear 101, instead ofby the drive' shaft through the ratchet mechanism96, gear 95 may turn-about shaft 90 without" rotating the latter andwithout causing the cut-off mechanism to \operate.

In passing between the winder and ,cut-oil mechanisms the straw isexternally coatedwith vparailin by the device generally indicated at165, and shown in detail in Fig. 15. The device 165 comprises acontainer 166 within which is a body of melted paratlin 168 heated .byan electrical heating element 169 flows to a brush 171 which engages theouter surface of the straw S. The delivery of pa'raiin to the brush maybe re ulated by suitable valve means as at 172. ue to the straw beingcontinuously rotated as it ,is ad? vanced, its entire exterior surfaceWilla be cpated with par-ain in-moving past brush 1 1.

We have provided, in combination with `the hereinabove described parts,a carrier theA subsequent advancing straw beingl` formed. The carrieralso has the characteristics of a heater, whereby the severed straws areheated for a predetermined period of time suilicient to cause theexteriorly andv internally applied par-alim to permeate the straws andthereby give them a maximum' degree of waterproofness. The combinedcarrier and heating device comprises an -intermittently rotatablecylindrical cage, generally indicated at 174, having axial trunnions n175, 176, journaled in bearings 177 and 178,-'respectively- A. suitableheating e1es ment, not shown, is provided within the heat- 'er cylinder174, the heating element having leads communicating with surfaces 179 ontrunnion 176, and 'to which current is supplied through brushes 180.Cylinder 174 will be maintained at a temperature such that ,duringthe/period within which the straws are subjected to heating, as will beherein-V afterdescrib'ed, the parailin will be caused to thoroughly andevenly permeate the straws.

5 'the Winder rollers. In order to obviate the In the surface ofcylinder 174 is formed 130 i a series of longitudinal lutings or grooves181 which are adapted to successively receive the straws as they areadvanced from the cutoff, asfwill presently appear. The position of thecarrier relative to guide tube 110 is such that one of the grooves 181,for example. groove 181a`in Fig. 16, will be in div rect .alinement withthe guide tube, so that the straw being advanced from the cut-oilvcarrier cage is intermittently revolved in the direction of arrow X, seeFig. 19, an angular distance l corresponding to the spacing be- VAtweenygrooves 181, and in a manner such that after one of the severed strawsis advanced into one of the grooves 181, the carrier is instantaneouslyrevolved so as to bring the next groove into alinement with guide tube110 so as to be in position to receive the f next straw. Due to the factthat the straws are being formed and advanced at a fairly fast rate, itis necessary that the cage be rapidly, and in fact almostinstantaneously, revolved between the described intervals of rotation,in order to prevent a subsequent straw, after one has been advanced intoone of grooves 181, from becoming fouled by engaging a rib 183 betweenthat groove and the next succeeding. We have accordingly provided whatmay be termed a trip, or snapacting mechanism for intermittently andrapidly actuating the carrier in the manner described, and have 'alsoprovided a similar type of mechanism for advancing each severed strawinto the carrier grooves ahead of the subsequent straw being formed.

The carrier is intermittently rotated by means of an arm 185 pivoted forhorizontal swinging movement on pin 186, the arm car.

rying on its. end 185a a' pivoted pawl 187 which engages ratchet gear188 carried on the end of trunnion 176. Pawl 187 is maintained inengagement with ratchet teethv by spring 189, as shown in Fig. 19.- Arm185 is operated to actuate the heater cage by means of spring 190attached to the. outer end of the arm. The pitch o the teeth ratchet 188will Carrier 174 is operated in timed relationA with the operation ofthe cut-off mechanism,

by actuating arml85 in accordance with the movements of guide rod 147,which, it will be recalled, reciprocates with the described slide restblock 125.v Rod 147 carries a collar 191 upon which is mounted asupporting arm 192 extending above and parallel with saidv rod towardthe cut-olf mechanism. When 'rod 147 isin its furthest position to theright,

- Upon subsequentl movement of rod 147 to the left, collar`19l is movedaway from the arm so as to put the latter under the influence of spring190, which tends to swing the arm about pivot 186 and to rotate theratchet 188 yand the carrier in the direction of arrow X.

Such movement of the carrier is prevented however; until rod 147 reachessubstantially the limit of its travel to the left, by the escapementmeans, hereinafter described. At the point at which ratchet 188 isreleased by the escapement mechanism, arm 185 is suddenly swung by theaction of spring 190 to the position shown in Fig. 17, the ratchetsimultaneously being rotated the pitch distance of the teeth. rlfheposition to which arm 185 is swung is limited by the adjustable stop194. Due to there being a constantly applied force tending to swing thearm in operatingthe ratchet, that is, by the action of spring 190, atthe point at which the ratchet is released by the escapement, thecarrier is, literally, snapped from one position to the next with arapid speed of movement. Upon return movement of rod 147 tothe right,co1

lar 191 engagesarm 185, returning "it to the position of Fig. 16 andbringing pawl 187 into engagement with the next ratchet tooth. Y Carriedon trunnion 176 at the inner side of bearing 178 is a second ratchetgear 195, the tooth pitch of which is twice that of ratchet 188', sothat for each of the described intermittent movements of i;heilatter,ratchet 195 will be rotated half the pitch distance of its teeth. Theoperation of ratchet 188 is controlled byl an intermittently rotatedescapement gear 196 mounted on vertical shaft 197, and having verticallyspaced, down- 196a, 1961;, one ofwhich is engaged by one of the teethofratchet 195. Escapement gear 19'6 has an integral lower ratchet gear198, `the tooth 4pitch of which corresponds with the horizontal orradially angular pitch of the downwardly facing teeth 196a and.196b, sothat as the escapement is rotated the pitch distance of the teeth ofratchet 198, the escapement gear will turn, for example, from fr theposition shown in Fig. 20, in which the ratchet tooth 195e engages oneof the lower teeth 1966, to that of Fig. 21 wherein tooth 195a isbrought into engagement with an adjacent upper tooth 196m Uponsubsequent movement of the escapement gear from the position of Fig. 21,ratchet tooth 19511 will be released from tooth 196a and the followingratchet tooth will become engaged by the next lower escapement tooth.The vertical pitch or spacing of the downwardly facing loa ratchet 195to rotate half its pitch distance for each -turn of the escapement gear.Ratchet 188 is thereforev permitted to turn the pitch distance of itsyteeth for each movement of the escapement gear.y

Gear 198 is intermittently loperated by means of a p a-wl arm 200pivotally mounted at 201 on the under side of'supporting arm 192, arm200 being adapted to intermittently f engage ratchet 198 upon movementof guide rod `147 to the left, as will presently appear.' Arm 200normally is positioned in engagement with stop pin 202 by spring 203,joined to the forward end of the pawl and to arm 192. j f

We will now describe briefly the operation of the escapement mechanismin combination with the hereinabove described carrier actu` ating arm-185. Uponmovement of rod y147 tothe left, pawl arm V200 is brought intoengagement with ratchet 198, turningthe escapement gear 196 so that atsubstantially the end of movement of' rod 1/47,'ratchet 195 will bereleased bythe escapement so as to permit ratchet 188 to turn asdescribed, ,and therefore to permit the carrier to rotate a distancecorresponding to' the spacing of its longi- I tudinal surface grooves.In order to prevent back lash, or reverse rotation of'ratchet 188, adetent 205 mounted in post 206, see Fig."19, is provided, its actionbeing to snap in behind the successive ratchet teeth and thereby preventreverse movement. Upon return Inovment of guide rod 147 to the r1ght,arm200 is permitted to pass by the ratchet and to thereafter resumeits'normal position, prior to subsequent movement to the left, as willbe readily understood.

As previously mentioned a secondary snap acting mechanism is Vprovidedfor advancing a severed straw into the carrier ahead of thel straw beingformed, in orderjto provide a time interval for turning movement of the"cage to prevent the on-coming str aw from engaging one of the ridges183 during turnving movement of the cage, and also to prewhich projectsthrough an opening 211, see

l Fig. 18, in the side of cover 182, and into engagement with the strawbeing advanced intogroove 181er..y Placed on rod 207 isa v spring 212which is confinedA between nut 213 threaded on the rod anda verticallyextending arm 214 attached at its base at 215 to the lower cutter sliderest 125. lThus as the cut.

: olf mechanism assembly is moved to the left,

arm 214 puts spring 212 under compression, 'the latter thereby exertinga thrust on rod .207 tending to move it inthe direction of movement ofthe straw being advanced yiiizto groove 181e. K Y

Rod 207 is releasably locked againstrsuch movement by dog 217 pivotallymounted onounted on the vunder side of arm 192 and' adjustablelongitudinally thereof is a dog actuating arm 218, projecting beneathrod 207 so as to engage the lower end of the dog vas rod 147 is moved tothe left.

after the straw has been severed by cutter 114. Thus at the point atwhich rod 207 is' released by theaction of dog 217, the rod is suddenlythrown forward under the action of spring 212, and the severed straw issimultaneously carried forward by the flexible arm 210. Due to thecompression and sudden release of spring 212, the rate `at which thestraw is advanced into the cage will of course be much greater than itsnormali rate of I' movement under the influence of the Winder,andtherefore there will be aconsiderable gap between the severed strawand the following straw being formed.y Immediately after the severedstraw has been advanced into the cage grooves in the mannerdescribe-d,lv the carrier.

will be rotated under the action ofthe escapement mechanism aspreviously described, to bring the next oove 181 into straw receivingposition. s rod 147 is returned to its 'starting position to the right,armv218 is brought to engage nut 213 and to thereby move rod 207 to theright until it again becomeslocked by the action of dog 217..

In case the severed straws are not. ad-

vanced entirely within the grooves of the carrien cage Iby the action ofarm 210, means ma be ,provided for pushing the. projecting en s of thestraws into the cage as the latter rotates. For this purpose we haveillustrated a circular gathering flange 220 secured to thercover 182 atthe forward end thereof,

fiange 220 gradually curving inwardin the direction of rotation of thecarrier. Thus as thel carrier rotates, the projecting straws are movedentirely within the grooves by engagement with flange 220 as will bereadily understood from the illustration in Figs.v 1 6 and 17. As shownin F ig. 19, an opening 221 yis formed `longitudinally in bed 24 beneaththe rear side ofthe carrier. The straws are carlaol ried around in thecage to a point. above opening 221, and are then permitted to d rop outof the carrier through the opening into a suitable container, not shown,beneath thel supporting bed 24. y l

It is tovbe understood that although the mechanism first described hasthe combined advantages of a carrier and heater, and preferably it willbe utilized for both such purposes, its operation as a carrier islindependent ofits function as a heater. In other words, should it bedesirable to dispense with the heating operation, or to heat the strawssubsequent to their being discharged from the carrier, the carrier maybe used, as such, in the absence of provision for heating it. Therefore,we do not limit the invention to the use of a heated carrier, but preferthat it be regarded as optional Whether or not the carrier be heated.

We claim l. In a-tube forming machine,` means for continuously formingand advancing a tube,-

- means for intermittently cutting the formed tube into equalpredetermined lengths, means for feeding stock to said tube formingmeans, and means for operatingsaid feed means in timed relation to theoperation of saifd cutting means.

2. In a tube forming machine, means forl continuously forming andadvancing a tube, means for intermittently cutting the formed tube intoeqilal predetermined lengths, means for feeding stock to said tubeforming means, and means for operating said feed means in timed relationto the operation of said cut- -ting means, said forming means tendingtol advance the tube at a permitted by said stoc feeding means.

In a tube forming machine,means for continuously forming and advancing'a tube, a cutter for intermittently severing the formed tu'be intoequal lengths and adapted to travel with the tubeduring the cuttingJsevering operation, means for operating said cutter in timed relationWithsaid feed release, and means to cause the cutter and formed tube totravel at the same speed. l

5. In a tube forming machine, means for continuously winding andadvancing a tube, means for feeding strip stock to saidy tube windingmeans' at a constant predetermined rate, said winding means tending toadvance reater rate than thatv the tube at a greater rate than thatpermitted by the stock feeding means, and said winding means beingadjustable to vary the pltch of the wound strips. v

6. In a tube forming machine, a mandrel, means for continuously forminga spirally wound tube on said mandrel andfor advancing the formed tubefrom the mandrel, means for feeding strip stock to said tube formingmeans at a constant predetermined rate, said forming means tending toadvance the tube at a greater rate than that permitted by the stockfeeding lneans, said winding means being adjustable to vary the pitch ofthe Wound strips, a cutter, andmeans fo'r operating said cutter in timedrelation to said feed means. l

7. In a tube forming machine, a mandrel, means for continuously Windinga tube on said mandrel and for advancing the formed tube from themandrel, a pair lof feed re-v ,of rollers ldisposed at opposite sides ofsaid mandrel and adapted to Wind said strip stock on the mandrel to formthe tube, said rollers being positioned voppositely angularly relativeto the mandrel, and means for rotatably driving said rollers in oppositedirections relative to the mandrel.

9. In a tube forming machine, a mandrel, means for continuously windingstrip stock into a tubeon said mandrel and for advancing the formed tubefrom the mandrel, a disk cutter for intermittently severing the formedtube into equal predetermined lengths and adapted to travel with thetube during the.

cutting operation, means for releasing strip stock tosaidwinding meansat a predetermined rate, said Winding means tending to advance the tubeat a greater rate than 'that permitted by said stock releasing means,and meansfor operating said cutter and the stock releasing means intimed relation.

- l0. In a tube forming machine, a mandrel,

means for feeding strip stock to said mandrel and a pair of rollersdisposed at opposlte sides of said mandrel and adapted to Wind saidstrip stock on the mandrel to form and advance the tube, a cutter'adapted to sever the formed tube into predetermined lengths, and meansfor operating said cutter 1n timed relation to said. stock feeding meansin timed relation to cause the cutter t and tube to travel at the samerate.

means for feeding strip stock to said4 mandrel, and a pair of 'windingrollers rotatably mounted at opposite sides of "said mandrel andarranged oppositely angularly relative thereto, yand means for rotatablydriving the strip engaging surfaces of said rollers in oppositedirections relative to the mandrel,

said rollers being adaptedA to engage and jwind said strip stock on themandrel and to rotate and advance the formed tube-thereon.

13. In a tube forming machine, a mandrel, means for feeding strip stockto said mandrel, and a pair of .winding rollers rotatably mounted atopposite sides of said mandreland arranged oppositely angularly relativethereto, and `means for rotatably drivingV the strip engaging surfacesof said rollers in opposite directions relative to the mandrel, saidrollers being adapted to engage and wind said strip stock onthe mandreland to rotate land advance the formed tube thereon, and said rollershaving yieldable peripheral surfaces. 1

14.' In a tube forming machine, a mandrel, means for feeding strip stockto said mandrel, and a pair of winding rollers rotatably mountedat'opposite sides of said mandrel `and arranged oppositely angularlyrelative thereto, and means for rotatably driving the strip engagingsurfaces of said rollers in opposite directions relation to the mandrel,said rollers being adapted to engage and wind said strip stock on themandrel and to rotate and advance the formed tube thereon, and each ofsaid rollers comprising a body mounted on a shaft and a removable rubberwork engaging `ring .carried on said body.L

15. In a tube forming machine, a mandrel,

means for feeding strip stock to said mandrelhy a pair of windingrollers rotatably mounted at opposite sides of said mandrel and arrangedoppositely 'angularly relative thereto,

and means vfor rotatably driving the strip engaging surfaces of saidrollers in opposite directions relative. to the mandrel, said rollersbeing adapted to engage and wind'said strip stock on the mandrel and tovrotate and advance the formed tube thereon, and means for adjustingsaid rollers laterally of the mandrel.

16. In a tube formin machine, a mandrel, means for feeding strlp stockto said mandrel, a pairof winding members `mounted at oppositesides'ofsaid mandrel and arranged oppositely angularly relative thereto,said members being adapted to engage and wind said strip stock on Athemandrel and having strip engaging surfaces movable angularl in oppositedirections relative to the man rel, drive means for said members, andmeans for adjusting the positions of angularity of said surfaces withrelation to the mandrel.

17. In a tube forming machine, a mandrel,

y means for feeding strip stock tosaid mandrel, 12. In a tube formingmachine, a mandrel,

f i 18. In an automatic tube forming machine,

means for continuously lforming and advancing a tube, means forintermittently cutting the formed tube into equal predetermined lengths,means for feeding stock to said tube forming means in timed relation tothe operation of said cutting means, and means for manually operatin andsaid stock feeingfmeans independently ofsaid cutting means.- y

19. In a tube forming machine, means for continuously forming andadvancing a spiv strip stock to said tube forming means, sai formrallywound tube, means forvfeedin ing Ameans being adjustable to vary thepitch of the Wound strips, a cutter for intermit tently Severin theformed tube. into equal lengths and a apted to travel with the tubeduring the severing operation, and means for operating said cutter intimed relation with the operation of said stock feed means.

20. In a tube forming machine, means for continuously forming andadvancing a tube, means for feeding stockto said tube forming means, acutter for intermittently severing the formed tube into equal lengthsand v adapted to travelvwiththe tube during the severing operation, andmeans for operating said cutter in timed relation with the operation ofsaid stock feed means, the last mentioned means including cam actuatedmeans for moving the cutter in the Adirection of movement of the tube,andv cam actuated means for moving the cutter laterally into 'and out ofthe path of movement o f the tube.

21. In a tube forming machine, means for continuously` forming andadvancing a tube, means for feeding stock to said tube forming means,cutter means for severing the formed tube into equal lengths andcomprising aldisk cutter and avslde rest'mounting said tube formingmeans for said cutter, and cam means for actuating said slide rest,operated intimed relation with the .operation of said stock feed means.

22. In a tube forming-machine, means for continuously forming andadvancing a tube, means for feeding stock to said tube forming means,cutting means for severing the formed tube into equal lengths andcomprising a disk cutter and a compound slide rest mounting for saidcutter, said mounting embodying a supporting member slidablelongitudinally of the path of movement of the tube and a secondsupporting member slidable laterally of said path, and means foroperating said supporting members in timed relation to said Astockfeeding means.

23. In a tube forming machine, means for continuously forming andadvancing a tube,

means for feeding stock to said tube forming means, cutting means forsevering the formed tube into equal lengths and comprising aldiskcutterand a slide rest mounting for said cutter, said mounting embodyinga supporting member slidable longitudinally of the path of movement ofthe tube and a second supporting member slidable laterally of said path,yielding means resisting movement of said supporting members in .onedirection of their respective travels, and cam means for operating saidmembers in timed relation to said-stock feeding means.

24. In a tube forming machine, the combination comprising, means forcontinuously forming and advancing a tube,N a cutter mechanism adaptedto intermittently sever the formed tube into equal lengths during itsadvancing movement, and a heated carrier adapted to receive a severedtube direct from said cutter mechanism and to move said severed tube outof the path of the advancing subsequent tube.

25. In a 'tube lforming machine, the com-V bination comprising, meansfor continuously forming and advancing a tube, a cutter mechanism`adapted to intermittently sever the formed tube into equal lengthsduring its advancing movement, a carrier adapted to receive a severedtube direct from said cutter mechanism and to move said severed tube outof the path of the advancing subsequent tube, and means associated Withsaid carrier for heating the tubes received thereby for a pre'-determ'ined period of time.

26. In a tube forming machine,ithe combination comprising, means Jforcontinuously forming and advancing a tube, a cutter mechanism adapted tointermittently sever the formed tube during its advancing movement, acarrier adapted to receive a severed tube direct from said cuttermechanism and to move said severed tube out of the path of the advancingsubsequent tube, and means for advancing said severed tube to thecarrier at a rate in excess of the speed of movement of the advancingsubsequent tube.

27. In a tube., forming machine, the combination comprising, means forcontinuously forming land advancing a tube, a cutter mechanism adaptedto intermittently sever the formed tube during its advancing move-lment, 'a carrier adapted to receive a severed tube direct from saidcutter mechanism and to move said severed tube out of theJ` path of theadvancing subsequent tube, and intermittently operable means foradvancing said severed tube to the carrier at a rate in excess pfbthespeed of movement of the subsequent 28. In a tube forming machine, thecombination comprising, means for continuously forming and advancing atube, a cutter mechanism adapted to intermittently sever the formed tubeinto equal lengths during its advancing movement, an intermittentlyoperated carrier adapted to receive a s vered tube direct from saidcutter mechani and to move said severed tube out of the path of theadvancing subsequent tube, and means for advancing said severed tube tothe carrier at a rate in excess of the speed of movement of saidadvancing subsequent tube.

29. In a tube forming machine, the-combination comprising, l meansforcontinuously forming and advancing a tube, a cutter mechanism adaptedto intermittently sever the formed tube into equal lengths during itsadvancing movement, van intermittently operated carrier adapted toreceive a severed tube direct from said cutter mechanism and to movesaid severed tube out of the path of the advancingsubsequent tube, andintermittently operable means for advancing said severed tube to thecarrier at arate in excess of the speed of movement of said advancingsubsequent tube.

30. In a tube forming machine, the combination comprising, means forcontinuously forming and advancing a tube, a cutter mechanism adapted tointermittently sever the formed tube into equal lengths during itsadvancmg movement, a carrier intermittent-- ly operated in timedrelation with the operation of said cutter and adapted to receive asevered tube direct from said cutter mechanism and to move said severedtube out of the path of the advancing subsequent tube, and meansoperated in timed relation with said cutter for advancing said severedtube to the carrier at a rate in excess of the speed ofbmovement of saidadvancing subsequent tu e.

31. In a tube forming machine, the combination comprising, means forcontinuously forming and advancing a tube, a cutter mechanism adapted tointermittently sever the formed tube during its advancing movement,

